Reasons to be optimistic about next year

[Logicallylethal]

1) Baldwin, Lockett, and Richardson at WR
- If there was one good takeaway from this playoff run, it was the emergence of Paul Richardson. I love Kearse, but he just doesn't get enough separation on his routes. If Richardson continues playing like he has in the playoffs, then we have one of the fastest wide receiver trio in the league. Not the tallest group of receivers, but shifty, quick, and they make up for their lack of height with their incredible hands and ability to go up and make the difficult catches. Having 3 receivers that can stretch the field imo will open it up for Jimmy Graham even more. This year defenses just keyed in on Baldwin and Graham and Russ continually went to Kearse. Next year we make em pay with Lockett and Richardson deep.

2) Russ will be fully healthy
- Easily the most challenging year for Russell Wilson. Hampered with injuries, had no run game for the first time, and played behind a historically bad offensive line...and still somehow he managed to 4219 yards 21 tds 11 int and a 92.6 QB rating. We saw today how electric a healthy Russell Wilson looks like running the ball. And we saw in 2015 how great Russell Wilson can be when he got time in the pocket to throw the ball. I think next year with a better o-line and a healthy set of weapons (Baldwin, Lockett, Richardson, Graham, Prosise) we can confidently expect 4000+ yards with 26-30 tds

3) Earl will be back
- Sherman and Bennett may be the best individual players on this defense, but Earl is key to the defense. His speed and range allows Kam to play in the box and for Sherman to stay on his side while Earl shades his coverage to Shead or Lane on the opposite end. Earl's ability to anticipate plays from blowing up screens, breaking up post patterns, or going from one side of the field to the other to make a crucial tackle cannot be replaced. We saw it today with Steven Terrell getting his ankles broken 3-4 times whiffing on tackles and several other times where he just didn't put himself in a good position to make the play. A healthy LOB doesn't get torched the way we did today against Atlanta.

4) Rawls and Prosise combo
- I still think we should have drafted Derrick Henry over Germaine Ifedi, but that's a discussion for another time. I like Rawls. He runs with an attitude and he has good vision to set up cut back lanes. Christine Michael was definitely more explosive to the hole but sometimes it felt like he was just running blindly. Rawls one caveat is his health. Which is where Prosise comes in. He can be our Darren Sproles on passing downs and third downs. I love the tandem Atlanta has in Freeman and Coleman. If there is someone in the draft I wouldn't mind replacing Rawls. Both Freeman and Coleman can run the ball and are a threat out the backfield as well. I'd love to have both our rbs be duel threats as well.

5) There's no way our offensive line can be this bad again
- We are due to hit on an offensive linemen in the draft. We've failed with every pick since Okung and Unger. Britt is the closest thing to a successful draft pick, but he's a solid starter at best. No more cheap signings like Jemarcus Webb, who no one had on their radar to sign but for some reason the Seahawks felt like he was worth giving a 2 year contract to start. If Jimmy Graham is to be utilized to his full potential we're going to need a better offensive line so Graham doesn't need to chip and block on so many plays

 

[Logicallylethal]

Forgot to mention Russell Wilson's stats targeting receivers not named Jermaine Kearse

For the year Russ completed 64.7 % of his passes for a 92.6 QB Rating

When targeting receivers not named Kearse, Russ completed 68.5 % of his passes for a 102.3 QB rating

When targeting Kearse, Russ completed only 45.5 % of his passes with a 44.2 QB rating

 

[WizardHawk]

I don't agree that Bennett is one of the defenses best players. He is versatile for sure, but Avril and even Clark have more impressive numbers in the pass rush and tackle games while committing far fewer penalties. Wagner and Sherman, along with Thomas are the meat of the defenses sandwich IMO. You don't have shit out there without all 3. In fact, the overall pass rush was more troubling to me in general than the problems in pass coverage. That and only one turnover on defense after Thomas left (And that one was just because they benched Newton for a play lolz) were real issues down the stretch.

Free agency will once again leave this team looking a little different next year. And I doubt we have real problems on defense. The core that is there are solid enough. Few tweaks here and there and send them back out. If they don't have the same bad luck with the injury bug next year they don't need to do much to get them back to talking HFA and a #1 or #2 seed again. With or without major changes to the offense.

I do think they have to keep adding more running backs. The injuries to that unit this year showed how vital it is to stack the crap out of that corp. They have a few good pieces, but all have been injury prone so far. Keep trying to find that next stud to complement the ones we have.

 

[dude82]

I don't agree that Bennett is one of the defenses best players. He is versatile for sure, but Avril and even Clark have more impressive numbers in the pass rush and tackle games while committing far fewer penalties. Wagner and Sherman, along with Thomas are the meat of the defenses sandwich IMO. You don't have shit out there without all 3. In fact, the overall pass rush was more troubling to me in general than the problems in pass coverage. That and only one turnover on defense after Thomas left (And that one was just because they benched Newton for a play lolz) were real issues down the stretch.

Free agency will once again leave this team looking a little different next year. And I doubt we have real problems on defense. The core that is there are solid enough. Few tweaks here and there and send them back out. If they don't have the same bad luck with the injury bug next year they don't need to do much to get them back to talking HFA and a #1 or #2 seed again. With or without major changes to the offense.

I do think they have to keep adding more running backs. The injuries to that unit this year showed how vital it is to stack the crap out of that corp. They have a few good pieces, but all have been injury prone so far. Keep trying to find that next stud to complement the ones we have.

I actually think it's Bennett's versatility that makes him one of our defense's best players. Don't underestimate the fact that opposing offenses have to account for where Bennett is at all times, opening things up for guys like Avril, Clark and the linebacking crew on both passing plays and running plays. He takes on double teams when he's on the end of the line and when he moves inside to tackle. I also heard on several occasions this year opposing coaches and players call Bennett either one of the best defensive players in the league, the best player on our defense or the best defensive player in the league.

Now, it's quite possible that they were all blowing smoke up his ass, especially with the last compliment I listed, but if you're drawing double teams because teams are afraid of what you'll do if they don't double you and you've got opposing coaches and players saying complimentary things about you in pre-game interviews, it's difficult not to see someone like that as one of the best players on whichever side of the ball he's playing. Numbers are great and they're more quantifiable for fans, but lack of great stats doesn't mean you aren't a great player. Maybe if he played one position instead of moving between end and tackle and someone else was taking on double teams to free him up to get after the QB, his stats would be more impressive. As it stands, he does move around and he does draw double teams quite a bit, likely hampering his ability to rack up better numbers.

 

[WizardHawk]

I didn't say Bennett sucks, I just said I'd put Wagner above him in overall impact/importance to the team and Avril/Clark are more important, or at least have had better numbers in the pass rush.

 

[DJ]

RW and Rawls imo. Not questioning the front office but they need to improve the OL.

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

RW and Rawls imo. Not questioning the front office but they need to improve the OL.

BIG TIME.... Our O-line was the worst in the NFL this year....

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

We also need a good corner opposite of Sherman, Our secondary is a weak spot now, other than Sherman our corners are sub-par .... 2 great safeties when Earl and Kam are back there, 1 good corner....

 

[DJ]

BIG TIME.... Our O-line was the worst in the NFL this year....

You don't want RW feeling like he's Luck in Indianapolis where they paid him big time but can't protect your franchise QB. You have to invest in the OL.....good example is my Raiders. They drafted Carr and built a good OL to protect him.




The ankle injury was just a freak injury.....hopefully.

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

You don't want RW feeling like he's Luck in Indianapolis where they paid him big time but can't protect your franchise QB. You have to invest in the OL.....good example is my Raiders. They drafted Carr and built a good OL to protect him.




The ankle injury was just a freak injury.....hopefully.

Agreed, Pete and John took a gamble on that line to save money, it didn't pay off... As far as Carr, that was just bad luck, Raiders were set for a good playoff run, you guy's would a crushed the Texans with Carr.. Probably would a got the #2 seed actually.... That was just bad luck, it can happen... It was a miracle we didn't lose Russ the amount of times he was hit this year...

 

[MrS]

We also need a good corner opposite of Sherman, Our secondary is a weak spot now, other than Sherman our corners are sub-par .... 2 great safeties when Earl and Kam are back there, 1 good corner....

i thought shead played admirably, he wasnt getting burned all the time. what we really need is more consistent pressure, too many times the QB has all day long and there is NO inside rush at all.

unfortunately we draft too low to get a stud DT or a stud OT which is i think the two spots we need most.

 

[Banned 10x]

Forgot to mention Russell Wilson's stats targeting receivers not named Jermaine Kearse

For the year Russ completed 64.7 % of his passes for a 92.6 QB Rating

When targeting receivers not named Kearse, Russ completed 68.5 % of his passes for a 102.3 QB rating

When targeting Kearse, Russ completed only 45.5 % of his passes with a 44.2 QB rating

that's amazing

 

[HaroldSeattle]

i thought shead played admirably, he wasnt getting burned all the time. what we really need is more consistent pressure, too many times the QB has all day long and there is NO inside rush at all.

unfortunately we draft too low to get a stud DT or a stud OT which is i think the two spots we need most.

Agree with a lot of what you said. I do think the Falcons had Ryan getting rid of the ball quickly though, but yeah not much of a inside rush this season and like you said, the Seahawks draft to low for those two prized positions, unless they get lucky and someone gets over looked. Kind of a catch 22.

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

i thought shead played admirably, he wasnt getting burned all the time. what we really need is more consistent pressure, too many times the QB has all day long and there is NO inside rush at all.

unfortunately we draft too low to get a stud DT or a stud OT which is i think the two spots we need most.

Yeah Shead is ok, agreed... But I would still love to see another lockdown guy opposite of Sherman.. Even if we have to go to free agency...

 

[Judge Fudge]

Forgot to mention Russell Wilson's stats targeting receivers not named Jermaine Kearse

For the year Russ completed 64.7 % of his passes for a 92.6 QB Rating

When targeting receivers not named Kearse, Russ completed 68.5 % of his passes for a 102.3 QB rating

When targeting Kearse, Russ completed only 45.5 % of his passes with a 44.2 QB rating

That is the reason we need to get rid of Kearse. He was trash this year.

IMO he didn't want to sign with Seattle last season. The only reason he did is because no one would pay him what he thought worth,

 

[chf]

IMO he didn't want to sign with Seattle last season. The only reason he did is because no one would pay him what he thought worth,

What's that based on?

Kinda amazing that he and Russ are so tight if Kearse is such an asshat.

 

[Logicallylethal]

I didn't say Bennett sucks, I just said I'd put Wagner above him in overall impact/importance to the team and Avril/Clark are more important, or at least have had better numbers in the pass rush.

I think essentially what @dude82 was trying to say was that numbers don't always tell the full story when it comes to Michael Bennett

Stats in general can be misleading. For example, Bobby Wagner had a career year statistically. But how much of that is because our defense was on the field a lot more plays than any previous year in the Pete Carroll era.

In my opinion, Bobby has been elite for a couple years now. His stats are just now showing it.

One prime example I can recall with Bennett being an absolute force on the d-line without his stats showing it was Superbowl 49. He was unblockable in that game harassing Tom Brady with constant QB hits or hurries.

His final stat line in that game - 2 tackles 0 sacks

Here's a good breakdown of Bennett's impact in that Superbowl

The Seahawks need Michael Bennett's hands

 

[Logicallylethal]

That is the reason we need to get rid of Kearse. He was trash this year.

IMO he didn't want to sign with Seattle last season. The only reason he did is because no one would pay him what he thought worth,

Unfortunately cutting Kearse would only save about 300k in the cap. So I'd much rather have him still on the roster for depth purposes and just play Lockett and Richardson a lot more. Those guys aren't exactly the Cal Ripken of wide receivers so with durability being a question mark, depth and continuity is always important.

 

[dude82]

I think essentially what @dude82 was trying to say was that numbers don't always tell the full story when it comes to Michael Bennett

Stats in general can be misleading. For example, Bobby Wagner had a career year statistically. But how much of that is because our defense was on the field a lot more plays than any previous year in the Pete Carroll era.

In my opinion, Bobby has been elite for a couple years now. His stats are just now showing it.

One prime example I can recall with Bennett being an absolute force on the d-line without his stats showing it was Superbowl 49. He was unblockable in that game harassing Tom Brady with constant QB hits or hurries.

His final stat line in that game - 2 tackles 0 sacks

Here's a good breakdown of Bennett's impact in that Superbowl

The Seahawks need Michael Bennett's hands

Yes. That's what I was getting at. I have a tendency to ramble and/or not explain what I'm thinking very well.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Unfortunately cutting Kearse would only save about 300k in the cap. So I'd much rather have him still on the roster for depth purposes and just play Lockett and Richardson a lot more. Those guys aren't exactly the Cal Ripken of wide receivers so with durability being a question mark, depth and continuity is always important.

Won't mind seeing more of McEvoy either.